Coiffure pin opener



April 12, 1960 2,932,302

T. R. PORTER COIFFURE PIN OPENER med March 26.` 1957 2 sheets-sheet 1 Y [T45 a 7 2; a l' /Zlll Il l. /l9 9 ...4 i@ al la 8 UJI 44/ [ze l l; 'I

INVENT OR THEODORE R. PORTER 3l April 12, 1960 T. R. PORTER 2,932,302

COIFFURE PIN OPENER Filed March 26. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR 74 THEODORE R. PORTER drawings, illustrating a United States Patent-` tzeV COIFFURE PIN OPENER Theodore R. Porter, Detroit, Mich. Application March 26, 1951, serial No. 64s,sss

7 claims. (cl. 132-1) The present invention relates generally to dispensing devices and refers more particularly to a device for storing coilure pins and repetitively expelling them in an open condition.

In the past it has been practice among both professional and private users of coiffure or bobby pins to individually open each pin by means such as placing the thumb or linger nail between the sides thereof and spreading the sides apart or by running the end of the pin over the teeth to spread the sides of the pin. The danger of gouging gums and Vfingers with resultant possible infections andthe time consumed by such individual operations kin opening coiiure pins is readily apparent.

Therefore it is one of the objects of the persent invention to provide mechanical means whereby coiifure pins or the like may be opened prior to application thereof.

Another object is to provide means for storing a plurality of coiure pins and for automatically repetitively dispensing single pins in an open condition.

'Another object is to provide a coiiure pin storer, dispenser and opener which is compact and capable of operation with the use of only one hand while being held therein.

More specifically it is an object to provide a coiffure pin storing, dispensing and opening device including an expeller which is within easy reach of the thumb or finger when the device is held in the palm of the hand and which is adapted to hold-one end of a coiffure pin in place While it is being expelled from the device thereby over an iniinite edge which functions to open the pin as it is expelled.

More specifically it is an object to provide a coiiiure pin storing, dispensing and opening device includingl a magazine for storing a plurality of pins whichV is capable of complete and easy removal from and replacement in said device for reloading thereof. v

More specically it is an object to provide a ,coiiure pin storing, dispensing and Opening device including resilient means for urging pins stored in said device on a magazine toward an expeller mechanism without jamming them in a manner such that they arrive at the expeller mechanism in a position to be expelled from the device in an open condition.

It is a still further object to provide a coiiure pin storing, dispensing and opening device including means for adjusting the pressure exerted by resilient means included therein, for urging pins stored in said device toward an expeller, to prevent jamming of said device.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying ventiomwherein:

l? 4Figure lis a partially broken away top view v,of a lcoitfure pin storing, dispensing and opening device accord ingtotheinvention A j u, y 2 -Figure 2 is a partially broken away top view o f the device of Figure 1 having the top cover thereof removed.

. rear side wall 48, a front end wall Figure 1 taken along d 25,'93-23113023 Patented Apr. 12, 1960 Figure 3 is a front side elevational view of the device 0f Figure Figure 4 is a rear side elevational view of the device of` Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front end elevational view of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional View of the device of Figure 1 taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional View of the device of the line 7*7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pin magazine of the device of Figure l shown removed from the device.

One embodiment of a coiffure pin dispensing device according to the invention will now be described with particular reference to the figures.

The coiiure pin dispensing device illustrated in the figures comprises a relatively iiat box or case structure generally indicated 40 adapted to receive a removable magazine tray 3 in one side thereof. A pin biasing mechanism generally indicated 42 and a pin expeller 2.' slidably mounted on one end of case 40 are included with the dispensing device structure. The magazine tray 3 is particularly adapted for holding coiifure pins or the like in side by side relationship within the box or case 40. Pinbiasing mechanism 42 is provided IWithin the case or lbox structure 40 to bias coiffure pins held on the magazine 3 toward the front end wall 31 of the case 4l). The expeller 2 which is slidably mounted on the front end Wall 31 of the case 40 is operable to respectively expel coiffure pins, which are biased against the front end wall 31 by thev pin biasing mechanism 42, from the case 40 in an open condition. The dispensing device illustrated is particularly adapted to the storing of coiffure pins and the repetitive automatic dispensing thereof in an open condition ready for application.

The case or box 40 as shown in the figures is a substantially at rectangular structure of Width substantially equal to the length of the coiffure pins which it is desired to storev and dispense and is easily held in the palm of one hand. The case 40 includes a front side Wall 44, a 31, a rear end wall 56,A a cover 26 and a stepped bottom 66.

As shown the front side 44 is provided with a slot extending from the front end wall 31 of the case 40 for substantially the entire length thereof to provide a guide channel 46 for the arm 17 of the pin positioner 4 which will subsequently be described. Also a portion of the preferred vembodiment of the inis removed ,toV provide for the insertion within the case 40 of magazine tray 3.'

The rear side Wall 48 of case 40 as shown best in Figure 4 is alsor provided with a guide channel 6 therein to allow lmovement of arm 13 of pin positioner 4 in a direction longitudinal of the pin dispensing device. At the left end of guide channel 6 as shown in Figure 4 there is provideda notch 14 to receive the arm 13 of the pin positioner 4 to restrain the pin positioner during loading and unloading of magazine tray 3 as will later be described. Y

A guide ledge 7 is secured to the inner surface of the rear side 48 of case 40 and is positioned as shown in FiguresZ and 4. The purpose of the guide ledge 7 is to prevent coiffure pins generally indicated 23 from becoming displaced within the coilfure pin dispensing device during operation of the device. As shown in Figure 7 the guide ledge 7 prevents the upward movement of the opening end of coiffure pins within the magazine Vchamber of the Vpin dispensing device and also provides a tongue-to guide the pin positioner 4 in its longitudinal movement within-'the magazinechamber.

A pair of apertures or openings 50 and 52, are pro vided at the front end of the rear side wall 48 as shown at the right in Figure 4. The openings 50 and 52 are positioned on each side of a wedge shaped opening member 1 which may be integral with or attached to the. rear side wall 43. As shown in Figures and 6'the wedge shaped opening member has a sharp edge extending toward the interior of the case 40. In the voperation of the pin dispensing device of the invention individual coilfure pins which are forced against the front end wall 31 yby pin positioner 4 are forced over the wedge shaped opening member 1 by movement of the expeller 2 in a crosswise direction of the case 40 as will later be explained. The separate sides of the coiffure pins are forced over separate sides of the opening member 1 and are therefore caused to be opened as they are expelled from the case 40 by the expeller 2 through the openings 50 and 52 in the rear side 48 of case 40.

The front end wall 31 of case 40 as best shown in Figures 5 and 6 is provided with a longitudinal slot 32 located as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The slot 32 functions as a guide channel for expeller 2 which is mounted for sliding along the front end wall 31. As shown best in Figure 5 the front end wall 31 is also provided with a recess 54 at the left end thereof into which the wedge shaped opening member 1 attached to the rear'side wall 48 extends. The recess 54 is provided to allow the removal of coiflure pins from the wedge shaped opening member 1 in an endwise or longitudinal direction from the dispensing device.

The rear end wall 56 of the case 40 provides mounting Vmeans for the pin biasing mechanism. Also slots S8 and 66 are provided at both ends thereof extending downwardly from the top of case 49 as shown best in Figures 2 and 3. A spring pressed plunger 16 is attached at o ne end of the rear end wall 56 as shown in Figure 2'fo1 the purpose of holding a cover 26 on the case 40.

Cover 26 is provided for the case 40 as shown best in Figure 1. Cover 26 is provided with a tongue 27 on the side thereof in contact with the rear side 48 of the case 40 and on a portion of the end thereof in contact with the front end 31'of the case. vThe tongue 27 Vis slidable within grooves 28 provided in the rear sidewall 48 and the front end wall 31 as shown in Figure v1. Cover 26 is also provided with an offset 62 in the end thereof adjacent the front end wall 31 which in conjunction with the wall 31 forms a slot 64 in which expeller 2 may be moved along the front end wall 31 asV willlater be explained. The cover 26 also includes downwardly and outwardly extending flanges 15 fitting within the slots 58 and 60 to hold cover 26 in position on case 40. The spring pressed plunger 16 attached to the rear end wallr56 in cooperation with a'flange 15 aids in securingrofthe cover 26 to the case 40. Y

The bottom 66 of the case 40 as best shown in VFigures 2V and 7 is made in two levels Vso that a single level bottom is provided within the case 40 when the'ma'gazine is inserted therein. A leaf spring 11 is secured at one end of bottom 66 in a recess 68 provided inthat portion of the higher level of the bottom member Vof case r40 which is adjacent the magazine 3 in its inserted position as shown in Figure 2 and is operable in conjunction with al shallow notch 76 in magazine 3 to securethe magazine 3 within the case 40. v

Magazine tray 3 as best shown in for use with the pin dispenser of the inventionl and in the normal operating positionthereof isV inserted Within case 40 through the opening provided therefor in the front side wall 44 as shown best in Figures 3 and'Z. The magazine tray 3 may be withdrawn from thel case 40 for loading with a fresh supply of coiffure pins "as the pin dispenser is emptied by ejection vof the coiffure pins in a manner to be'described. Y j j The magazine tray 3 is generally-T-shaped as shown: The stem of the T, forms amagazine oor 70 while the cross bar 72 Yofthe T forms a portion ofthe front side Figure 8 is provided Y wall of the case 40. As shown in Figures 7 and 8 the lower part of the cross bar 72 is formed to extend parallel to the stem member 70 as shown at 3a to provide a longitudinal recess 74 into which the front side edge of the bottom 66 of case 40 is received as the magazine is inserted in the case 40.

A block 22 is secured at the intersection of the stem 70 and cross bar 72 of the T-shaped magazine tray as illustrated in Figure 8 and receives and securely holds a pin guide rod 5 in parallel relation to and spaced from the stem and cross bar. The stem member 70 is provided with a shallow notch 76 which is adjacent to the spring 11 with the magazine tray 3 inserted in the case 40 which in conjunction with the spring 11 is adapted to removably retain the magazine tray 3 within the case A40.

In the operation of the pin dispensing device of the invention the magazine tray 3 may be removed from the case 40V by grasping the cross bar portion 72 thereof and applying pressure inra direction away from the case 40. Once removed the magazine tray 3 may be loaded with coiffure pins 23 in side by side relation by inserting the looped ends thereof over the pin guide rod 5 with the long side of the coiifure pins resting on the stem portion 70. A plurality of coiffure pins 23 may be loaded on pin guide 5 in side by side relation as shown in Figure 2. The magazine tray 3 may then be reinserted in case 40 and the dispensing of the coiffure pins from the loaded magazine may be carried out in a manner to be described.

T he pin biasing mechanism 42 which is secured to case 40 as illustrated best in Figure 2 comprises a. pair of longitudially extending guide rods 8 and 19 loosely secured to the rear end wall 56 of case 40 through openings 12, a pair of tension springs 29 and 30 sleeved over the guide rods 8 and 19 respectively, a positioner 4 extending crosswise of the case 40 through which the guide rods 8 and 19 pass, and tensioning means for springs 29 and 30 including a bolt 9 and a spring holder 10. As shown the bolt 9 is secured for rotation in the rear end wall 56 of the case 40 but is not movable longitudinally of the case 40. The spring holder 10 has passages 78 and 80 therein through which the guide rods 8 and 19 are passed. The spring holder 10 is threadedly engaged with the bolt 9 as shown and is movable longitudinally of case 40 along guide rods 8 and 19 on rotation of bolt 9. The longtiudinal movement of the spring holder 10 along guide rods 8 and 19 will cause the tension springsV 29 and 30 positioned on the guide rods between the spring holder 10-and the pin positioner 4 to exert more or less pressure on the pin positioner 4 to control the biasing of the pins 23 loaded'on magazineV tray 3 toward the front end'wall31 of the case 40.

The pin positioner 4 as shown in Figure 2 may be manually lmoved to the right in case 40 by gripping the arms 13 and 17 thereof extending outward through channels 46 andV 6 in the front side wall 44 and the rear side wall 48 respectively and compressing springs 29 and 30. On moving of the pin positioner 4 as close to the vrear end wall 56 as it is possible to do so within the channels 46 and i6 the arm 13 thereof may be placed in the notch 14 whereby the pin positioner will remain in said position until the arm 13 is released from notch 14. In this position of the pin positioner 4 the maga.- zine tray 3 may be freely inserted or removed from the tray 40.

As the pin positioner 4 is allowed to move toward the front end 31 of the case 40 to bias the coiffure pins 23 against the front end wall 31 into position to be expelled from they case 40 by the expeller 2 the positioner 41 may assume a position which is not perpendicular 'ooi the sidewalls of the case 40 due to the two ends of the` ble dueto the loose mounting of the guideA rods 8 and 19 and a loose connection between'the positioner 4 and the guide rods 29 and 30.

The expeller 2 as indicated best in Figures 3 and 6 comprises a generally U-shaped vertical rectangular member, the legs of which t over and closely surround the front end wall 31 of the oase 40. A connecting slab or member 21 is provided between the two legs of the expeller 2 and extends through the guide channel 32 in the front end wall 31 of case 40. The connecting slab or member 21 being horizontal as shown in Figure 6 allows only sliding movement of the expeller 2 along the front end Wall 31. A hook portion 20 as shown in Figure 6 is provided on the leg of the expeller 2 which exktends along the' inner surface of the front end wall 31 of the case 40 and extends toward the rear side of the case 40. The portion 18 of the hook member 20V serves to hold the looped end of a pin being expelled from the case'40 from upward movement in the dispensing device.

.The ejection of individual coitfure pins is repetitively accomplished by sliding the expeller 2 alternately back` and forth across the end wall 31 of the case 40. On each travel of the expeller 2 toward the rear side 4S of the case 40 the end coilure pin 23 which is held against the wall '31 is engaged by the downwardly extending leg of the expeller 2 within the notch formed by the hook 1 8 and is moved toward the rear side 48 over opening member v1 and through openings 50 and 52. At the end of a stroke of the expeller 2 in the direction of front side wall 44 a different coiffure pin 23 is biased against the end .wall 31 by means of pin positioner 4.

In the description of the complete operation of the device of the invention it will be assumed that the device Vconstructed as described above is in the condition illustrated in Figures l and' 2 wherein a partially loaded magazine tray is inserted Iwithin the case 40 and the expeller is positioned at the extreme rear side end of the front end wall of the case 40. With the dispenser in this condition :it is grasped with the palm of the hand over the closed top thereof, with the index inger resting on the expeller handle and the thumb positioned near the front end of the rear side in close proximity to the opening member 1.

.With the dispensing device of the invention grasped in .this manner movement of the expeller toward the vrear side 48 of the case 40 will cause the end coiffure pin 23 -in themagazine chamber which is pressed against the front end wall 31 to be moved outward across the opening member 1 through recesses 50 and 52 and come to rest at the end of the stroke of the expeller in an. open condition with the looped end thereof held within the recess 54 in the front end wall 31 on the opening lmemher 1. The coiffure pin may then be either removed .from the opening member 1 by gripping the open pin With the free hand or may be caused to move longitudinally from the opening member 1 by longitudinal move- Yment of the thumb of the hand holding the device along the rear side of the case 40V toward the front end' wall 31 thereof. The expeller may then be moved back to its original position by an opposite movement of the index inger and the operation just described repeated until the Vsupply of coiffure pins on the magazine tray 3 has been lexhausted.

On exhausting of the supply of coiffure pins loaded on the magazine tray the pin positioner 4 may b'e grasped l by the arms `13 and 17 thereof extending outward through guidechannels 6 and 46 andmoved to a position wherein the arm 13 may be secured in notch 14 to prevent the pin positioner 4 from moving toward the front end wall 31 of the case 40 under bias of springs 29 and 30 during removal of the unloaded magazine tray and reinsertion thereof. 'I'he magazine tray 3 may then be removed from the case 40 in the manner previously described and reloaded with a new supply of coiffure pins and' then reinserted in the case 40 as previously indicated whereupon the pin positioner 4 may be disengaged from the restraining notch 14 and allowed to again bias the new supply of coiffure pins into position for ejectionV thereof by crosswise movement of the expeller member as indicated above.

During operation of the dispensing device the bias applied to the pins 23 by the positioner 4 may be adjusted by rotation of the bolt 9 as previously described to prevent jamming of the pins due to too great a bias toward front end wall 31 or to prevent jamming of the pins due to lack of bias toward wall 31 allowing them to become disarrauged on magazine tray 3.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved coiffure pin opener in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated bythe appended claims.

' l claim: t

1. A coiffure pin storing, dispensing and opening device comprising a substantially dat rectangular case of a size side, rear side, front end, rear end, top and bottom walls, a removable magazine tray positioned within said case to form part of the front side and bottom thereof and being adapted to support a plurality of coiifure pins in side by side relation within said case, an aperture in said case at the intersection of said front end and said rear side walls through which coiffure pins stored within said case on` said magazine tray may be dispensed, a wedge shaped opening member positioned within said aperture operable to spread apart the sides of said coiffure pins into an open position as they are dispensed through said aperture, positioning and guide means secured within said case for biasing said pins stored on said magazine tray toward said front end wall in a position to be ejected through said aperture, means within said case andl operably associated with said positioning means to regulate the bias applied to said pins, and ejector means slidably mounted on said front end wall operable on reciprocation back and forth across the front end wall to cause the repetitive ejection of individual coilfure pins from said case through said aperture and across said opening wedge.

2. A coiffure pin storing, dispensing and opening device comprising a substantially iiat rectangular case of a size to be easily held in a human hand, said case having front side, rear side, front end, rear end', top and bottom walls, a removable magazine tray positioned within said case to form part of the front side and bottom thereof and being adapted to support a plurality of coilfure pins in side by side relation within said case, an aperture in said case at the intersection'of said front end and said rear side walls through which coiffure pins stored within said case on said magazine tray may be dispensed, a wedge shaped opening member positioned within said aperture operable to spread apart the sides of said coiffure pins into an open position as they are dispensed through said aperture, positioning and guide means secured within said case for biasing said pins stored. on said magazine tray toward said front end wall in a position to be ejected through said aperture, means within said case and' operably associated with said positioning means to regulate the bias applied to said pins, and ejector means slidably mounted on said front end wall operable on reciprocation back and forth across the front end wall to cause the repetitive .ejection of individual coiffure pins from said case through said aperture and across said opening wedge,

Saidremovable magazine tray being a generally T-shaped 3. A coiifure vpinv storing, dispensing and opening device comprising a substantially at rectangular case of a size to be easily held in a human hand, Said case having front side, rear side, front end, -rear end', top and bottom walls, a removable magazine tray positioned within said case to form part of the front side and bottom thereof and being adapted to support a pluralityof 1. coiffure pins in side by side relation within said case,

an aperture in said case at the intersection of said front end and said rear side walls through which coiture .pins stored within said case on said magazine tray may tioning means to regulate the bias applied to said pins,

and ejector means slidably mounted on'said front end wall Operable on reciprocation back and forth across Vthe front end Wall to causejthe repetitive ejection of individual coiure pins from said case through Said aperture and across said opening Wedge, said ejector means comprising a substantially U-shaped rectangular member having a dierent leg thereof .extending along each of the outside and the inside of said front end Wall and a connecting slab extending between said legs through a longitudinal slot in said front end wall, a projection on the leg of said ejectorextending along the inside of said front end wall, said projection in conjunction with the associated leg being operable to engage a coiffure pin biased against the inside of said front end wall and to hold them in a predetermined position during ejectment thereof.

4, A coiiure pin storing, dispensing and opening device comprising a substantially flat rectangular case of a size tobe easily held in a human hand, -said case having t'ront side, rear side, front end, rear end, top and bottom walls, a removable magazine tray positioned within said case to form part of thefront side and bottom thereof and being adapted to supporta plurality of coiffure pins in side by side relation within said case, an aperture in said case at the intersection of said front end and said rear side walls through which'coifhlre pins Stored within said case on said magazine tray may bedispensed, a wedge shaped opening member positioned within said aperture operable to spread apart the sides of said coiffure pins into an open position as they are dispensed through saidaperture, positioning and guide means secured within saidrcase for biasing said pins stored on said' magazine tray toward said front end wall in a position to be ejected through said aperture, means within-said case and operably associated with said positioning' means to regulate the bias applied to said pins, and ejector means slidably mounted on said front end wall operable on reciprocation back and forth across the front end wall to cause the repetitive ejection of individual coiffure pins from said case through said aperture and across said opening wedge, said positioning and guide means including'a guide ledge secured to the inside side of said rear side wall' and extending for a greater portion of the length of said side wall to within a short distance of the inside surface of said front end wall.

8 5. A c'oiure pin storing, dispensing and opening device comprising a substantially at rectangular case of a size to be easily held in a humanhand, said case having front side, rear side, front end, rear end, top Vand 5 bottom walls, a removable magazine tray positioned within said case to form part of the front side and bottom 'thereof and being adapted tosupport a vplurality of coiffure pins in side by side relation within said case, an aperture in said case at the intersection of said front end and said rear side walls through which coiffure pins stored within said case on said magazine tray may be dispensed, a wedge shaped opening member positioned within said aperture operable to spreadV apart the sides lfof said coiffure pins into an open position as they are dispensed through said aperture, positioning and guide means secured within said case for biasingsaid pins stored on said magazine tray toward said front end wall in a position to be ejected through said aperture, means within said case and operably associated with said positioning means to regulate the bias applied to said pins, and ejector means slidably mounted on said front end wall operable on reciprocation back and forth across the front end wall to cause the repetitive ejection of individual coilure pins from said case through said aperture and across said opening wedge, said positioning 'and guide means including a guide ledge secured to the inside side of said rear side wall and extending for a greater portion of the length of said side wall to within a short distance of*V the inside surface of said front end wall and further including a pair of guide rods loosely secured against axial movement to said rearend wall and extending from said rear end wall to within a short distance from said front end wall, a pin positioner having apertures therein loosely sleeved over both said guide rods and resilient means mounted on each guide rod for biasing said pin positioner toward said front end wall. 6. The structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means to regulate the bias applied to said pins includes a bolt rotatably secured against axial movement in said rear end wall between said two guide rods and a spring holder loosely sleeved over said guide rods between said resilient means and said rear end wall, said bolt threadedly engaging said spring holder and operable on rotation to move said spring holder axially of said guide rods. 7. The structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein said front side and rear side walls are provided with longitudinal guide channels therein, said pin positioner extends across substantially the entire width of said case and has arms extending outward of said case through said guide channels, and one of said guide channels has a notch therein at the end thereof remote from said front end wall operable to receive one arm of said pin positioner in an extreme rearward position thereof and to restrain said positioner against the bias of said resilient means toward said front end wall while said magazine i tray is remo'ved from and replaced in said device.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS l 

